Britain's newest aircraft carrier is on track to sail out of Rosyth dockyard later this month, the head of the Royal Navy has said.

HMS Prince of Wales, the sister ship of HMS Queen Elizabeth, will squeeze out into the Firth of Forth for her maiden voyage in the coming weeks so it can be tested in areas including speed and propulsion.

It will see both of the UK's biggest and most powerful warships at sea together for the first time.

First Sea Lord Admiral Tony Radakin told the PA news agency: "We are on track for HMS Prince of Wales to sail from Rosyth later this month to start her sea trials.

Work continues on the flight deck during a tour of the under-construction aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales

"Similarly, we are on track for her arrival into Portsmouth in December."

It is understood the departure from the dockyard where the ship has been built could happen as early as next week, weather permitting.

At 280 metres long, weighing 65,000 tonnes, with a predicted lifespan of half a century and a flight deck of four acres, the £3.1 billion ship is expected to commission into the Royal Navy in 2020.

HMS Queen Elizabeth is off the east coast of America, and will see Britain's cutting-edge F-35B stealth fighter jets land on deck for the first time in the coming weeks.

A general view of the thermal metal spray coated landing area of the flight deck

During their 50-year service, the two Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers will be used for work ranging from high-intensity fighting to humanitarian aid and disaster relief.